Summary: New research from the University of the Basque Country shows that running a marathon can cause a temporary reduction in brain myelin—the fatty, lipid-rich insulation that surrounds nerve fibers and supports efficient neural signaling. The decrease in myelin was observed in brain regions involved in motor coordination, sensory processing and emotional integration, and appears … Read more

Summary: Children who regularly hear a variety of regional and foreign accents gain an advantage in learning new words. Source: University of Freiburg Elementary school children who are frequently exposed to a range of regional and foreign accents find it easier to learn new vocabulary from peers who speak with unfamiliar accents. This conclusion comes … Read more

Counseling can be a powerful resource for people working to resolve persistent problems or to align their daily choices with long-term values and goals (Cochran & Cochran, 2015). Beyond specific interventions, the therapeutic relationship between counselor and client is central to effective work. Regardless of technique, the shared objective is to help clients live more … Read more

Summary: A long-term study found that women who developed high blood pressure in their 40s had a substantially higher risk of dementia later in life compared with women whose blood pressure remained normal. The increased risk was not observed for men in this cohort. Source: AAN New research reported in the October 4, 2017, online … Read more

Summary: Stanford accelerated intelligent neuromodulation therapy (SAINT), an intensive and individualized form of transcranial magnetic stimulation, produced rapid reductions in depressive symptoms in a controlled trial. Nearly 80% of participants who received the active therapy achieved remission that persisted for months after treatment. Source: Stanford An innovative magnetic brain stimulation protocol produced rapid remission for … Read more

In today’s fast-paced, productivity-driven world, achieving a sustainable work–life balance often feels out of reach. Long hours, rigid schedules, commuting, family responsibilities, social life, self-care, and community commitments all compete for our limited time and energy. Work–life balance (WLB) is generally understood as how well an individual manages work and non-work responsibilities while maintaining satisfaction, … Read more

Summary: A recent study examined how young children judge fairness and how those judgments shape their behavior, revealing nuanced gender differences in sharing and competitive actions. The researchers found that girls generally act with more compassion in resource distribution, while boys display more competitive or even spiteful behavior—especially toward other boys. At the same time, … Read more

Consciousness remains one of the greatest mysteries in science and philosophy. Although it is central to human experience, consciousness resists simple explanation—often described as the “ghost in the machine.” As an emergent phenomenon of the brain’s complex activity, consciousness seems to arise from the coordinated work of billions of neurons, like bubbles forming at the … Read more

Summary: Microscopic differences in brain white matter can influence how individuals respond to non-invasive electrical brain stimulation, suggesting a path toward more personalized treatment for neurological conditions. Source: Imperial College London Tiny microscopic changes in white matter may determine who benefits from non-invasive brain stimulation. Non-invasive electrical brain stimulation, which delivers a weak electrical current … Read more

Therapeutic Hypothermia Did Not Improve Outcomes in Adults with Severe Bacterial Meningitis and May Have Increased Mortality Summary: In a randomized clinical trial reported in JAMA, inducing moderate hypothermia in comatose adults with severe bacterial meningitis did not improve three-month functional outcomes and was associated with higher mortality, prompting early termination of the study by … Read more